Of Benzes and puddles: A short story

Part 1: The shortcut

'Who send me work?'

Having closed much later than usual from work today, I was confronted by standstill traffic a few miles from the office. As I came to a halt behind the stationary vehicles, I was just adjacent an alleged shortcut route that I had never attempted before in the day time, much less when there had a been a rainstorm earlier in the day, with the attendant likelihood of leaving puddles of water. A strong mental debate ensued. I had only a few moments to decide my course of action, before the opportunity would be lost, and I would have to deal with the uncertainty of how long the traffic jam would last.

With impatient drivers honking behind me and growing agitation to get home as quickly as possible, I made a choice. I turned off the main road into the intersecting street. Several other drivers quickly followed my lead.

In the glare of my headlights​, a small sedan was navigating what appeared to be a series of mounds of earth along the route. The apparent ease with which it did this encouraged me. So I eased my '99 Mercedes w202 onward.

A sign?
As I approached the first mound, the small sedan was getting out of sight around a bend in the road. I carefully adjusted my speed to ensure that the stylish bumpers of my c230 Kompressor would not strike the ground.

As I reached the summit of the bump, I could also see that there was also some water in the puddle thus formed. It was of little consequence, I mused. At the summit of the bump, I adjusted my approach to descend gradually into the water.

For a brief moment, the car did not move. Then I felt the left rear wheel losing traction. I applied some more throttle and the car eased forward.

I wondered how such a seemingly lowly obstacle could dare to inhibit me. My agitation though, peaked slightly and I felt some discomfort with my decision. A voice urged me to turn and go back.  My Kompressor felt ready though. So I advanced...

My daily testimony

I am glad to be alive!

You see, it is a real privilege to see a new day each morning. The novelty of every moment ahead can only be anticipated. Although my conventional day follows a routine, I am usually also looking forward to all the out-of-routine experiences; the unforeseen and impromptu moments.

There's no monopoly on how we can respond to the mundaneness of even the most routine day. Sometimes we respond better and at other times worse, to the same circumstances, on different days. It's a human thing. But all humans want to out their best foot forward.

As a follower of Jesus, there's a new dimension to my daily experiences. Both routine and impromptu moments are opportunities to get better at living life. The prospect of daily growth and improvement adds spice to the process of living.

But again, this is just a symptom of my relationship with God in and through Jesus. Among other things, this relationship has given and continues to give me, a unique perspective to life - a Godly perspective. So it's not as if uncertainty doesn't make me anxious on occasion. It's just that every anxiety pales in contrast to the assurance of God's lavish store of love and care, for each day.

My priorities are completely altered. My ambitions are far lofty than any the world could conceive. They are out of this world - heavenly. It is my ambition to be like Jesus. Nothing else merits my attention. It's a narrow focus too, so I can't afford to carry needless weights. Looking at life's circumstances through the eyes of Jesus makes me see things in true colour. For instance, I can find hope in the midst of the most desperate situations.

 

I aspire to the most perfect standards - they are God's standards. By aspiring to them, I exceed the human benchmarks set for me. My purpose in God gives structure to my life. It defines all else.

And my relationships? They improve everyday in direct and even multiple proportions with my relationship with God. The best view of other humans is through Jesus' eyes. And it is my privilege to love them with His love and relate to them with His compassion...

 

Is there any reason not to live?

It's a great day to be alive.